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A. PHILOSOPHY

Colorado College believes participation in sports to be an integral part of a well-ordered program of liberal education and, therefore, encourages the widest possible participation in sports by individual members of the college community. The college is interested and committed to sponsoring and supporting club sports since these activities traditionally have a large number of participants, contribute to the development of health and physical fitness, and have a definite carry-over value to later life. The college is committed to a philosophy of sport that stresses the value and enjoyment of participation in the physical capacities.

Alongside competition and performance, the club sports program places a high degree of emphasis on student initiative, organization, leadership, decision making and team management. Taken as a whole, these program elements allow participants to shape their own experience to a much greater degree than any other athletic program at the college.

B. CLUBSPORTSPROGRAM

The college recognizes that club sports offer many students the opportunity for participation in competitive sport activities that are not available through the established intercollegiate, intramural or recreational programs.

The college also recognizes that club sports, because of budgetary and facility restrictions, cannot be supervised or managed in the same manner as the intercollegiate, intramural, or recreational programs. Club sports are designated and recognized as self-governing and for the most part, self-supporting in nature. Special criteria are needed for approving club sports as official organizations at Colorado College. NCAA regulations prohibit granting recognition to a club sport which all ready exists as an intercollegiate sport at the college. Exceptions to this guideline are club sports in men’s ice hockey and women’s soccer since the college sponsors Division 1 scholarship programs in these two sports.

The President designates to the Director of Athletics and the Director’s staff responsibility for club sports. The Director of Club Sports seeks the advice and consent of the Director of Athletics in overseeing the operation of club sports as an official organization of Colorado College including responsibility for granting official recognition to club sports.

The Director of Club Sports has the responsibility of reviewing the operation of each club on a yearly basis and making objective decisions concerning the continuation of official recognition.

C. JURISDICTION of CLUB SPORTS

1. Final authority for the general policies governing club sports rests with the President and through the president with the Board of Trustees.

2. The Athletics Board makes recommendations to the Director of Club Sports and Director of Athletics concerning the development and institution of basic program policies and procedures.

3. The daily operations and budgetary concerns of the club sports program are the designated responsibility of the Director of Club Sports with direct contact and guidance from the Director of Athletics and members of the Director’s staff.

D. CLUB PARTICIPANTS and MEMBERSHIP

1. Only officially enrolled and matriculating Colorado College students are eligible to participate in college-sponsored club sports programs. Students enrolled in the MAT program are permitted to play as well.

2. Neither employees, dependants, nor significant others of college employees are eligible to participate in the club sports programs.

3. Students who are on official leave of absence or who have withdrawn with the intention of later reapplying are not eligible to participate in club sports programs.

4. A senior student may practice and/or compete while enrolled in less than a minimum full-time program of studies (3 blocks per semester) provided the student is enrolled in the final semester and the institution can provide evidence that the student is enrolled in the courses necessary to complete their degree requirements. December graduates are not eligible to participate in the ensuing spring semester programs.

5. Students who are listed on current intramural rosters are eligible to participate in club sports programs in those same sports. For example, a student who is officially designated to be a member of an intramural ice hockey team is eligible to play club ice hockey.

6. Due to the independent nature of the program, it is recommended that each club select an advisor who is agreed upon by all members of the club team. This advisor must be a faculty or staff member of the Colorado College. In addition to providing traditional advising functions – such as providing perspective into College policies and procedures, mentoring, general guidance and advice giving – this role serves to promote student to staff/faculty relationships and offers a venue for faculty and staff to stay connected to students’ extracurricular lives. The duties and responsibilities of the advisor may include the following:

Periodically attend club meetings, special events and competitions.

Assist in the development of the club’s annual budget.

Serve as a resource on College policies and procedures.

Encourage the club’s members to assume responsibility and meet their obligations to the team.

Advise the club with regard to fundraising opportunities and assist in planning projects.

Serve as a liaison between the club and the College when necessary.

Provide an informal and non-academic opportunity for mentoring and guidance.

The College encourages each club team to work out the specific details of the advising relationship through dialog, so that the team and the advisor together develop an agreement of mutual expectations and shared obligations that meet the needs of both parties. This agreement can then be shared with the Director of Club Sports to ensure respectful inclusion of the advisor at appropriate times.

E. GUIDELINES for CLUB SPORT STATUS RECOGNITION

1. Those who are interested in organizing a club sport should obtain a Club Sport Manual from the Director of Club Sports in the Athletic Department. For consideration of recognition as an official club sport, the completed petition must include the following: Club Sport Declaration, Squad List, Season Schedule Form, budget, and Assumption of Risk and Liability Form for each member of the team.

Normally, a club sport is expected to function without financial support from the college for a period of two years. After two years of uninterrupted competition, official club sport status may be granted and financial support may be sought from the college.

In the event that an intercollegiate sport is discontinued by the college, special consideration in granting immediate club sport status may be given to that team under the following conditions: Students interested in gaining this status must approach the Director of Club Sports and the Athletic Director directly and in writing, state their intention to form a club team. This approach must be received by the Director of Club Sports within one calendar year of the discontinuation of the varsity sport; and, a roster appropriate to field a competitive team, a schedule and a budget must accompany this request.

2. In making the decision to grant official status to a club sport, the following criteria will be emphasized:

a. The club’s Club Sport Declaration must be completed in full for final consideration. Furthermore, the decision to recognize a club sport will be weighed on its impact on existing athletic facilities. Since facilities are limited, priority of use must be given in the following order: (1) In-season intercollegiate sports, including recognized Junior Varsity sports, (2) Out-of-season Division I intercollegiate sports (3) In-season intramural activities, (4) Recreational activities scheduled by the Department of Athletics (5) In-season Club Sports, (6) College-sponsored clinics and camps, (7) Out of season Division III intercollegiate sports, (8) Recreational activities scheduled by a Colorado College entity outside of the Department of Athletics, and (9) Groups outside of the Colorado College community.

b. The club’s declaration must present evidence of sufficient membership support from students and must be able to provide a roster that is adequate to field a team. A sufficient number of members on a team are defined for non-contact sports as 125% of a starting line-up. Per sport this translates to: men’s volleyball – 8; water polo – 9; ultimate Frisbee – 9; softball – 12; baseball – 12; women’s soccer – 14; and field hockey – 12. For contact sports, a sufficient number is defined as 150% of a starting line-up. This requirement translates to: hockey – 17; rugby – 23; and football – 35. At a minimum, the inclusion of the team roster will be required for consideration showing the existence of at least the required number of participants to field a team for that specific sport.

For individual sports such as cycling, equestrian, triathlon and skiing, the squad list must have a minimum of 10 students who actively participate in shows/meets/races 75% of the time.

c. The club’s declaration must show evidence of available competition within the State of Colorado or immediate regional competition with other club or intercollegiate teams. City, recreational, or YMCA teams should not dominate a club’s proposed schedule of competition. Teams must be able to join a regional and/or national governing body. If this is not possible, the team must develop and play a schedule of at least 50% of the maximum allowable number of contests in a single season for Division III athletics. At a minimum the inclusion of a tentative schedule will be required for consideration.

Consideration will be given and all efforts made to arrange club sport home games on the Colorado College campus. In attempting to accommodate requests for varsity field reservations, the following points will be honored for all club teams: only single games will be considered, multiple day events will not be scheduled; no lines will be painted on the fields, only cones, flags, ropes, etc. may be introduced to outline the playing field; up to but no more than 2 home games may be scheduled on the varsity fields per sport season; and in the case of inclement weather, an alternative site must be used in all situations.

d. The club’s declaration must indicate that all club members have signed an Assumption of Riskand Liability Form releasing Colorado College from any liability suits or claims which may be filed and that all participants on the club team are covered by insurance including special policies that may be required be Colorado College or other organizations and associations involved with the club’s activities.

e. The club’s declaration must include a working budget for operations for the academic year in which official status is being requested. Funding will be considered for the following: team association dues, team tournament fees, referee/official expenses, venue rental fees for competitions, an ATC for home competitions, first aid kits, and intra-oral safety devices. For individual sports, entry fees for competitions will be covered for up to and including 10 spots per competitive day. The purchase of equipment or other materials under $1,000.00 is expected to be paid for in full by the club team and its members. All other expenses are expected to be paid for in fullby the club team and its members. These include but are not limited to: individual association dues, personal equipment, uniforms, and all expenses related to travel. Requests made for equipment or other materials greater than $1,000.00 must be submitted to the Director of Club Sports and will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Finally, consideration for funding venue rental fees for practice will be made on a case by case basis and ONLY if there is not a venue on or in the immediate vicinity of campus.

Consideration will be given on a case-by-case basis for special funding by the Director of Club Sports and the Director of Athletics. A written petition must be filed for each of the following to be considered for special financial support: coaching stipends and post-season competition.

F. HAZING, DRUG & ALCOHOL POLICY

1. The College forbids hazing, which is defined as any act which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or which destroys or removes public or private property, or which produces ridicule, embarrassment, harassment, intimidation, or other such result, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition of continued membership in, a group or organization., regardless of the individual’s willingness to participate. Examples include paddling, creating excessive fatigue, physical and psychological shock, public stunts and buffoonery, and morally degrading or humiliating games and activities.

The express or implied consent of the victim will not be a defense of this violation, and apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing is also seen as a violation of this policy

The College is opposed to hazing and other activities that do not contribute to the positive development and welfare of initiates and members. A true sense of community is nurtured in an atmosphere of social and moral responsibility and mutual respect.

2. A club sport’s president, captain and other elected or appointed executives or leaders are responsible for informing members of the hazing policy and enforcing it. The policy will be printed annually in the Pathfinder and distributed periodically to organization advisors, sponsors, and coaches.

Students must report immediately any action or practice believed to be hazing to the organization’s officers or to a College official. Complainants will not be penalized in any way as long as they have reported their concerns in good faith. Reprisal against a complainant will be considered a serious offense for both the individuals and the organization involved.

A formal grievance procedure can be initiated through the Dean of Students or the Student Conduct Committee.

3. The unlawful use, possession, distribution, manufactures or dispensing of illicit drugs or alcohol is prohibited on Colorado College property or as a part of any of the College’s activities. While the College’s alcohol policy reflects current interpretations of federal, state and local laws governing the possession, distribution, and use of alcohol, it also expresses the College’s commitment to responsible drinking and behavior. As an educational institution, Colorado College attempts to educate its community members about unlawful use of illicit drugs and alcohol, and to encourage appropriate responsible behavior.

Alcohol is not permitted on or in any other campus property or facility unless it is at a pre-approved function. This includes academic buildings, athletic facilities, and outdoor locations. In addition, alcohol is prohibited for both players and officials at indoor or outdoor intercollegiate, intramural, or club sport activities.

In accordance with the Colorado Springs Open Container Law, the college prohibits alcohol in outdoor campus areas, unless contained within the established perimeter of a pre-approved function.

G. SANCTIONS

1. The Director of Club Sports may, with the approval of the Director of Athletics, issue a warning to a club sport for violation of club sports policy, (e.g. use of ineligible players). The warning shall be sent to the listed captains, coach, and faculty representative for that sport. Included in the warning letter will be notification that any further violations occurring in the current season of club sports activity will result in immediate suspension of the club, forfeiture of all college funding, and suspension of the club for the following two academic years.

2. If the violation in question continues, the club sport will receive a notice of suspension. A probationary sentence will be assigned and take effect immediately. The notice of suspension will be sent to the listed captains, coach, and faculty representative for that sport. Included in the suspension letter will be notification of club suspension and forfeiture of all college funding for a period of two academic years following the violation. Following the two-year probationary period the club sport will be eligible to petition for reinstatement of financial support and club sport recognition.

The Director of Club Sports and the Director of Athletics will report on all warnings and suspensions at the next scheduled meeting of the Athletics Board.

H. REPORTING

At each scheduled meeting of the Athletics Board, the Director of Club Sports and Intramurals will submit a written report on the current status of club sports, intramurals, and recreational activities. The Athletics Board will review the report as part of its advisory role in athletic policy.